Ex-UVF man Haggarty’s evidence to be used in murder case

Evidence from a so-called supergrass will be used against an alleged Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) man accused of murdering two men during the Troubles.

Catholic workmen Gary Convie and Eamon Fox were shot dead at a building site in Belfast city centre in May 1994.

It is understood the man to be charged is James Smyth, from Forthriver Link in Belfast.

Former UVF commander Gary Haggarty, who has admitted 202 offences, including five murders, will be the star witness.

What is a supergrass?

The police bristle at the very mention of the word supergrass, because of its association with a series of high-profile trials in the 1980s.

Hundreds of republicans and loyalists were convicted on the word of informers and suspects who agreed to give evidence in return for reduced sentences, new identities and lives outside Northern Ireland.

Those deals were done at a political level, with the details kept secret.

Technically, those individuals were assisting offenders but they became known as “touts” and “supergrasses” in communities.

The system collapsed in 1985 because of concerns about the credibility of the evidence provided by the supergrasses.

Members of the judiciary complained that they were being used as political tools to implement government security policy.

A change in law in 2005 implemented safeguards for trials of that kind.

Mr Smyth will be prosecuted for the two 1994 murders, one attempted murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and membership of the UVF.

Mr Smyth was previously charged with the murders and when he was brought to court in 2014, he denied all of the offences.

The charges were withdrawn two years ago.

Image caption Eamon Fox and Gary Convie were shot dead while eating their lunch at a building site in 1994

Director of Public Prosecutions, Barra McGrory QC, announced on Tuesday the decision to use Haggarty as what is known as an assisting offender.

“I am satisfied that there is independent evidence which is capable of supporting his identification of the subject,” he said.

“This includes both eyewitness and forensic evidence.

“In these circumstances, I have concluded that there is a reasonable prospect of conviction and that the test for prosecution is met.

“I can confirm that we intend to use assisting offender Gary Haggarty as a witness in this prosecution.”

Image copyrightPacemakerImage caption Gary Haggarty was the commander of the Ulster Volunteer Force’s north Belfast unit

Prosecutors had received files relating to four UVF murders based on information provided by Haggarty.